11 Introverted Virtual Assistant Networking Tips

With almost half of the population identifying as Introverts, it should be no surprise to know that many Virtual Assistants also identify as one.

As a Virtual Assistant and fellow introvert myself, I know the anxiety one can feel when needing to show up on a Discovery Call, building new relationships, or meeting a new potential client for the first time.

As someone who used to cry during public speaking at school, I used to cringe at the thought of needing to sell myself and my services. Networking as an introvert in the Virtual Assistant industry is all about making the greatest impact, with marketing strategies that work for you. It doesn’t need to feel like swimming upstream while wearing concrete shoes!

If I can do it, so can you!

This post is all about 11 Introverted Virtual Assistant Networking Tips.

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When I first started as a Virtual Assistant five years ago, I had absolutely zero ideas on how to network or sell myself. I kind of hoped and prayed that my first client would magically come to me. Spoiler alert: that strategy failed miserably! I quickly realized that even if I was posting to social media, making lasting impressions and genuine connections are really what drives clients to work with you in any business. 

But the good news is – networking doesn’t have to drain your energy or force you to become someone you’re not. It’s all about working smarter and not harder, and figuring out ways to meet new people that work for you and your nature. 

I’m sharing my hard-earned wisdom and practical tips for introverted Virtual Assistants who want to build authentic connections and yield great results, without the anxiety and overwhelm. These are the strategies that have helped me grow my own Virtual Assistant business while honoring my introverted nature, and I’m confident they can work for you too!

This post shares 11 Introverted Virtual Assistant Networking Tips

Embrace Your Introvertedness

Being an introvert isn’t a disadvantage in the Virtual Assistant industry. It’s actually your secret weapon!

Introverts typically excel at deep listening, which is a very valuable skill when connecting with potential clients. 

We tend to observe details that others miss and can form meaningful one-on-one connections. These qualities are an essential skill in the Virtual Assistant industry. I’ve won clients because I remembered small details from our initial conversation that showed I was truly paying attention.

Another introvert superpower is written communication. Many of us express ourselves more clearly and confidently in writing than verbally. You can use this to your advantage and become a better networker by crafting thoughtful follow-up emails or creating valuable content that showcases your expertise. Some of my strongest professional relationships started from thoughtful comments I left in Facebook groups, which are a great way to engage and make meaningful connections. 

Engaging with other virtual assistants in these groups can also be a great way to build your network and find support when needed.

Choose What Works Best for You

Not all networking is created equal, especially for introverts!

Never could I imagine attending a big in-person networking event with a lot of people around. Loud crowded events are just not for me! 

I’ve learned that choosing the right networking avenue is what is most important for me as an Introverted VA. Online communities and Facebook Groups are goldmines for networking, finding jobs, and making connections without the energy drain of being in person. 

I’m part of multiple VA-specific Facebook groups which I love to show up in daily, and they’ve become my primary source of referrals and have allowed me to grow my professional network. If you want to know the best ways to network online, joining Facebook groups is one of the greatest opportunities for building authentic connections with both potential clients and fellow virtual assistants.

You can read more about my top recommended Virtual Assistant Facebook Groups here: 13 Must Join Facebook Groups for Virtual Assistants

Practice Your Introduction

There’s nothing worse than freezing up when someone asks, “So, what do you do?” I used to freeze trying to think about how to explain what I do, and who I serve. Not exactly a great first impression.

Having a clear, concise introduction, think ‘I help statement’, prepared in advance has been a game-changer. Since it’s something I know by heart, and can recite easily without needing to think about it. I spent a few hours crafting and practicing my elevator pitch, and it was time well spent.

My I help statement has shifted and evolved over the years, as I’ve shifted and grown as a Virtual Assistant and that’s ok! My current I help statement goes something like this: “I help bloggers create visually appealing pins and craft winning strategies to drive traffic to their websites on Pinterest, helping them make more sales from ads, digital products, and affiliate marketing.”

You want to make sure to highlight your specific niche and the problems you solve, rather than just saying “I’m a virtual assistant.” This helps potential clients understand if you’re a good fit to work with them and their business.

Set Networking Goals

Trying to network and show up in all the places, all at once, can be really exhausting and not the most effective use of your time, especially for us introverts who need to be intentional with our social energy.

I like to set networking goals for myself. Once you know who your target client is, it’s a simple rinse and repeat process you can do every day, instead of vaguely trying to “find new leads.” For example, I might aim to leave 10 thoughtful comments per day in my Virtual Assistant or in blogging Facebook Groups I am a part of. These groups have been a great source for finding new virtual assistants to connect with, or in finding new client leads. I’ve built many genuine connections this way.

I use a Google Sheet to track my networking goals and activities.

Once a month, I establish what I want to achieve through networking, whether that’s signing on 2 new clients, building relationships, showing up consistently online, or learning new skills. Then I break these down into daily actions, like leaving 10 thoughtful comments per day.

Quality over quantity is definitely the main goal here. If you are just leaving a comment by dropping emojis or leaving one-word answers, you aren’t providing value to that person, and they won’t see you as an industry expert if you don’t elaborate. It’s better to leave one meaningful comment that leads to a potential partnership rather than collecting 20 leads from people you’ll never follow up with.

Leverage Social Media Platforms

Social Media can be an absolute lifesaver for introverts, but not all platforms are introvert-friendly.

I like to focus my efforts on just two platforms that I know and love, and don’t require me to be in front of the camera all the time (hello, Instagram) and where my ideal clients hang out.

For me, that’s LinkedIn and Facebook Groups. These platforms are perfect for introverts because they allow me to connect in ways that suit my personality and business goals. Rather than trying to be everywhere, I show up consistently in these spaces and provide genuine value.

I set aside specific times everyday to show up in these two places. Every alternate day, I sign into LinkedIn, leave comments on posts, and send connection requests with a friendly intro message. The other days, I show up in my favorite Facebook groups, leaving thoughtful comments and links to my blog where appropriate or to my Pinterest portfolio. This helps me stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

I share some of my best networking strategies in my 9-to-5 Exit Strategy, a roadmap to becoming a Virtual Assistant in 30 days:

Use your Active Listening Skills

When I meet someone new, I focus on trying to understand their challenges, goals, and needs. People really appreciate this kind of attention about them and their problems, especially when they’re looking for a Virtual Assistant who genuinely cares about their business.

I once connected with a potential client who had met with other VAs before me. She later told me she chose to work with me because I was the only one who truly understood her business challenges, and I really think it’s because I took the time to listen and ask questions. 

 I like to prepare questions ahead of time. This allows me to show genuine interest but also helps me keep the meeting moving forward and ensures I get all the information needed to determine if we are the right fit.

I also love asking questions like: “What inspired you to start your business?” or “Where do you see yourself in the next 3, 6, 9 months?” this, often leads to the business owner sharing their challenges, giving you a good grasp of what direction your help will need to go.

Follow Up Meaningfully

After 24 hours of meeting someone new, I like to send a personal message referencing something specific from our conversation. This shows that I was genuinely listening and helps jog their memory of our interaction, strengthening the connection we started to build.

It’s kind of like after a first date, you’re full of butterflies and anticipation waiting for the other person to text back, saying they enjoyed meeting you and would like t to spend more time with you soon. Getting that message makes you feel special, and like a connection is developing , the same goes for networking.

That’s why my focus is always on providing value in my follow-ups rather than immediately asking for something. There are lots of ways to do this, like sharing an article or resource related to a struggle they mentioned during their call. 

I like to use a Google Sheet to keep track of all my leads. I include information like their name, contact information, conversation notes, and follow-up dates to keep me organized. Every day as part of my outreach strategy, I go through my sheet, and if anyone is due for a follow-up, I send them a quick message. This routine outreach keeps me consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

Repurpose Your Content

When I first started creating content, I was terrified no one would read it. But on the flip side, I was also terrified of telling family members about my new business venture. It’s scary putting yourself out there, I get it!

But if you are going to be putting energy into making content, you might as well take the time to repurpose that content into multiple places. 

Content repurposing for me looks something like this: Since I’m already writing blog posts for my blog, I like to break these down into a few different types of posts. I then share these small snippets of my posts to the social media platforms I like to show up on. This helps me maximize the content I am already creating, saving my mental energy from needing to create even more content. 

Join a VA Community

Being a freelancer can sometimes feel isolating.

When I first started my VA business, I felt alone in my struggles. But once I started showing up consistently in Facebook Groups, I made some great online friends, most of which I’ve never met in person.

There are a few small Facebook Groups that I really enjoy because they’re more intimate and better suit my introverted nature than the large, overwhelming ones. These groups have become my safe space to ask questions, share resources, and learn from others.

Consistent engagement is the key to getting value from a community. I like to set aside 20 minutes each morning to check in with my VA groups, answer questions when I can help, and share resources or experiences. 

Schedule Recovery Time

As introverts, our social batteries have limits.

For me, recovery time looks like this: a morning walk, 30 minutes of reading, meditation breaks, or simply sitting in the sun for a few moments on my back deck. These activities help me feel more centered and ready to tackle the next task.

I’ve also learned to recognize my own warning signs and try to honor them rather than pushing through. When I notice myself becoming really distracted or feeling really tired, I give myself permission to step back and recharge. 

I used to feel guilty about needing downtime. When I did rest, my mind would replay everything on my to-do list. While my body was physically resting, mentally, I was still running a thousand miles a minute. Now, I force myself to truly rest, even mentally. This sometimes takes 30 minutes, but other times, I may need less time to reach that state of relaxation.

Celebrate your Wins

Rather than measuring success by the number of clients I sign on, I like to track how many conversations I’ve started and the number of comments I’ve left.

Networking results often have a delayed payoff. You first need to get the ball rolling before seeing true results, which often looks like a month down the line for me. Tracking connections over months and years has shown me that consistent, authentic networking efforts compound over time.

Networking as an introverted Virtual Assistant doesn’t have to be an energy-draining experience. Trust me, I’ve been there, trying to grow my business while also not wanting to be the centre of attention. But implementing these strategies has led to great connections which have been an essential part of growing my VA business.

The key takeaway I want to leave you with is that your introversion is not a barrier to successful networking; it’s actually a huge advantage you can leverage.

It also isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about finding what works with your natural tendencies rather than against them. Be intentional with your energy, choose the right social media platforms, and build an online presence that works for you. 

This post was all about 11 Introverted Virtual Assistant Networking Tips

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